LBH Yogyakarta and PolGov UGM held a movie premiere and discussion for the 3rd Episode of Bloody Nickel titled “Republik Rente” on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Selasar Barat, Fisipol UGM. This event brought together various interests to discuss about nickel mining policy and its impact on society.
This film was a collaboration between Watchdoc and several NGOs that are members of “Bersihkan Indonesia” coalition, namely YLBHI, JATAM, Greenpeace Indonesia, Transparency International Indonesia (TII), Trend Asia, and Fraksi Rakyat Indonesia. It visualizes the complexities of nickel downstreaming policies, investment regimes, and the oligarchic structures that influence these practices.
After movie screening, we held a panel discussion with five invited speakers; Sridipo (Watchdoc), Hasrul Hanif (academics of UGM, Budin (local people from Wadas), Indah Surya Wardhani (PolGov UGM), and Julian Duwi Prasetya (LBH Yogyakarta).
Budin, representing the local community, shared stories on the struggles faced by people in Wadas. He mentioned that mining projects have destroyed the land and lives of Wadas people. This film shows that the exact same thing happened in various places.
This event also featured a lighthearted segment with stand-up comedy by Dodok Jogja and musical performances from KEPAL SPI, creating a platform for artistic expression while discussing complex issues. It aimed to engage a wider audience group discussing environmental justice.
Collaboration between various organizations and local communities engagement reflects the spirit of global partnership, which is matters for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In conclusion, the premiere of “Republik Rente” at FISIPOL UGM is not just an ordinary event. It is a call to action for all stakeholders to take part in a meaningful dialogue about the future of Indonesia’s natural resources governance. This event highlights the importance of accountability, transparency, and community engagement in a policy cycle related to the environment and society.
